Fisher's syndrome and group A streptococcal infection

J Neurol Sci. 1998 Sep 18;160(1):64-6. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(98)00220-2.

Abstract

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus causes immune-mediated disorders such as acute rheumatic fever and acute glomerulonephritis. We describe a second patient with Fisher's syndrome (FS) from whom beta-hemolytic streptococcus was isolated. We performed a study of the antecedent pharyngeal symptoms in FS and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Sore throat was statistically more frequent in FS (18/24 cases, 75%) than in Guillain-Barré syndrome (29/58 cases, 50%). In a series, however, the association of FS with group A streptococcal infection was not shown. Some patients may develop FS after group A streptococcal infection, but the bacterium is not a major antecedent agent in FS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / etiology*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / epidemiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Pharyngitis / epidemiology
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes / pathogenicity*
  • Tonsillitis / complications*
  • Tonsillitis / epidemiology
  • Tonsillitis / microbiology